Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats' Defense Could Be Strength of 2004 Club
7/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 22, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Today NUsports.com previews the 2004 Wildcat defense. Northwestern returns nine starters and several key reserves. With that amount of experience returning, this year's defensive unit could be the 'Cats' best in several years.
Defensive Line
Two years ago, the Wildcats' defensive line was the youngest unit on the team. Now, it may be the oldest and most experienced.
Six returnees have started games up front, with five of the six totaling 12 or more career starts each. Senior Colby Clark (35 starts), junior Loren Howard (25 starts) and senior Luis Castillo (22 starts) are the veterans of the group. Juniors David Thompson (13 starts) and Barry Cofield (12 starts) also have logged a considerable number of plays the past two years.
"I'm really excited about this group," says Walker. "Luis has developed into a quality defensive tackle and he should be one of the best in the Big Ten, in my opinion. He has become a really solid, consistent player.
"Loren is our playmaker, and he will make more big plays for us this year. Colby is the crafty, wily veteran."
Castillo led the defensive linemen in tackles last year with 70. He also added 6.5 tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries. Howard totaled 68 tackles, but led NU in TFL's (16), sacks (8), quarterback hurries (15) and blocked kicks (2). Clark added 55 tackles and 3.5 TFL's.
Cofield and Thompson totaled 46 and 26 tackles, respectively.
Adding depth at the tackle spots are sophomores Ryan Keenan and Trevor Schultz. Both players saw significant action in 2003. Redshirt freshman David Ngene is also a likely backup at an end position.
Linebackers
Northwestern returns two of its three starting linebackers-Tim McGarigle and John Pickens-but must find a replacement for Pat Durr. Durr finished his career with 311 tackles, the 12th-highest total in Wildcat history.
McGarigle and Pickens are veterans who will provide not only experience, but also important leadership. McGarigle earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2003 after leading the Wildcats in tackles (140) despite missing nearly two games due to injury. Pickens has played a considerable number of snaps since his freshman season. He finished third on the team's tackle chart last year (106) and added six TFLs.
"Tim is an outstanding football player," says Walker. "He has added some substance to his frame, but he still runs well. He plays with a great deal of passion. John has matured and should have his best year yet."
In the running to replace Durr are two players, all sophomores: Demetrius Eaton and Adam Kadela. Kadela was anointed the starter coming out of spring camp, but Eaton will be in the mix, whether it be a starter or key reserve. Other backup candidates include Nick Roach and Eric VanderHorst.
"A lot of these guys have played significantly with special teams or played some reserve linebacker. We like the talent and the depth we have at linebacker right now."
Midway through the 2004 spring camp, Erryn Cobb, another candidate at middle linebacker, was moved to fullback. "Erryn is too good an athlete to not be making a contribution," says Walker. "We're excited about this move."
Defensive Backs
The Wildcats lost safeties Torri Stuckey, Louis Ayeni and Jarvis Adams to graduation, but the rest of the defensive secondary returns, which gives Northwestern some significant returning experience.
Senior Marvin Ward, along with juniors Jeff Backes and Marquice Cole will be the primary cornerbacks. Ward had a solid 2003 season. He earned a pair of Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors and ranked first among defensive backs on the team with 84 tackles. He also added four interceptions and seven pass deflections. Backes and Cole notched 49 and 21 tackles, respectively, and combined for seven deflections.
"We have three quality cornerbacks," says Walker. "We have guys here who have grown significantly."
Senior Dominique Price is the leader in the secondary. One of the team's hardest-hitting players, Price recorded 75 tackles a year ago. He also had a pair of interceptions. Sophomore Bryan Heinz established himself as a key player in the secondary after turning in some splendid performances late in the season. He finished the year with five interceptions, which ranked third in the Big Ten.
The latest addition to the secondary is junior Derell Jenkins. He becomes the third Wildcat running back in the past three years to move to the safety position. (Stuckey moved to the position in 2002 and Ayeni in 2003.)
"Derell is going to help there," says Walker.
Also returning is Herschel Henderson, who sat out the 2003 season with a knee injury. He has started nine games in his career.
"The one good thing about having a small senior class is that we have a lot of guys who have played and contributed," Walker says.
MONDAY: A look at NU's special teams and the 2004 schedule.
